RHS finalizes graduation plansIn an effort to honor ticket holders for Russellville High School’s (RHS) 2014 graduation ceremony, a new plan for floor seating at Tucker Coliseum has been designed and approved by the Russellville fire marshal. This new plan provides for additional seating on the ground level of the coliseum. The graduation ceremony will begin at 7 p.m., and doors will open at 5:30. The previous plan for overflow into W.O. Young Ballroom and priority passes ...

Local 'Mud' star's new film premiere at LR Film FestivalYell County’s very own Hollywood star, Jacob Lofland, returns to the big screen during the 2014 Little Rock Film Festival’s premiere showing of “Little Accidents.” The 17-year-old Briggsville native, who starred with Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon in the 2012 drama “Mud,” will now play a leading role along side Chlöe Sevigny, Boyd Holbrook and Elizabeth Banks. Lofland will portray a teenager in a small Appalachian town still living ...

News Briefs (May 15, 2014)Veterans Commission to discuss memorial The River Valley Veterans Coalition will go before the Russellville City Council during its regular meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Bill Hefley, River Valley Veterans Coalition secretary, plans to present the group’s idea to add a Veteran’s Memorial to downtown Russellville. All veterans or interested parties are invited to attend the meeting. Election Comission to hold meetings The Pope County Election ...

Hector submits financial plan, cuts $385,240HECTOR — The Hector Board of Education approved a 12-objective financial improvement plan — which includes a Reduction in Force (RIF), reduction in number of payrolls and non-renewal of purchase services contracts — during its regular meeting Monday. Board member Brad Graves was the lone vote against the plan. President Terry Epperson, Vice President Gary McDonald, Secretary Tony Haley and board member Chas Riley voted in favor. "We feel like ...

Boil Water Order lifted in RussellvilleAt 1:56 p.m. Wednesday, the Arkansas Department of Health released all areas affected by the Tuesday Boil Water Order issued by City Corporation in Russellville. The boil water order was issued as a precautionary measure due to the loss of system pressure caused by a 12-inch main line rupture that drained the Highway 7 South water tank. Bacteriological samples taken on Tuesday were found safe for human consumption, which resulted in the Boil W...

Life-saving "Click it or Ticket" mobilization set for May 19-June 1LITTLE ROCK — As the summer travel season begins, so does a two-week long enforcement effort by Arkansas State Police and other law enforcement officers who will be on the lookout for violators of the Arkansas primary seat belt and child passenger safety laws. Beginning May 19 and continuing through June 1 state and local law enforcement agencies in Arkansas will participate in a nationwide Click It or Ticket mobilization. As people take to th...

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Arkansas State PoliceThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Kiehl marks 50 years of graduation documentingIt started as a way for two newlywed students at what was then Arkansas Polytechnic College to supplement their income. A half-century later, William Kiehl remains a fixture in the pomp and circumstance of commencement day at Arkansas Tech University. Kiehl marked his 50th anniversary as the graduation photographer at Tech during this past weekend’s ceremonies at Tucker Coliseum. Just as he has done for thousands of Arkansas Tech graduates sin...

RSD names new IT directorThe Russellville School District (RSD) welcomed Ben Janelle as the new Director of Information Technology during a reception May 6 at the Administration Building. Prior to working for RSD, Janelle worked as a technology coordinator for the Dover School District. He has also held positions as the PC support technician at Asurion and as a building level technician at RSD. Janelle served for seven years in the Arkansas Air National Guard, where h...

Candidate Q & A Part 2Editor’s note: The Courier will publish a series of candidate questions and answers as a 2014 voter’s guide. Each of the candidates were emailed the same questions. Below are the responses from candidates for Pope County Justice of the Peace of District 2. Look for more candidate Q&As in future editions. Candidates for Pope County District 2 Justice of the Peace T. J. Curtis Why are you seeking this position? I have a vested interest in the fu...

Pottsville alumni dinner set SaturdayThe Pottsville alumni potluck dinner will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Pottsville High School commons area. All those who attended, graduated, taught or are interested in the Pottsville School system are encouraged to come, bring a potluck dish, eat and enjoy visiting with old friends. For more information, contact Katherine Teeter at (479) 968-4573.

News Briefs (May 14, 2014)American Legion singing on Thursday The American Legion country singing will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Hut with Classic Country Boys. Kiwanis to host rummage sale The Russellville Kiwanis Club will conduct a rummage sale Friday and Saturday at the Pope County Fairgrounds. The sale will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Walnut Grove Cemetery work day A work day will begin at at 9 ...

Four from Arkansas Tech ROTC earn commissions in U.S. ArmyFour products of the Arkansas Tech University U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program were commissioned at the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during a ceremony at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center on Saturday, May 10. The officers commissioned on Saturday are James Drewry of Harrison, Cody Hartmann of Nuremberg, Germany, Connor O’Daniel of Little Rock and Julio Standridge of Dover. Major General William Wofford...

Pottsville Schools honored by Rep. DaleIn the 2013-2014 school year, 206 public schools were recognized as high performing schools through the Arkansas School Recognition and Reward Program. The program recognizes the top 20 percent of schools based on academic achievement, academic growth and graduation rates. Pottsville Elementary, Middle and Junior High Schools were recently honored by Rep. Robert Dale, who joined Sen. Michael Lamoureaux in a presentation. The top 10 percent per...

Money on their mindsThe Russellville City Council will discuss capital projects funding when it meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, in addition to an update on a city engineer position, sanitation service bids and elected officials' salaries. The Finance Committee, which met at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, discussed a list of capital projects that city department heads have suggested — everything from a new fuel truck at the regional airport to a renovated animal shelt...

Rabid skunks confirmed in Pope CountyThe Pope County Health Department has reported that four skunks have tested positive for rabies since the beginning of 2014. The viral disease, which is spread through bites or scratches from infected animals, attacks the nervous system and brain of mammals. The virus, if left untreated, ultimately shuts down the nervous system of its host. Dogs and cats are most commonly affected by the virus, as rabid skunks are often drawn to populated area...

Early voting continuesMore than 1,040 Pope County residents voted during the first week of early voting. The totals submitted by the Pope County Election Commission show 1,043 early votes as of Saturday afternoon. Early voting for the May primary continues 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday until May 19 when the polls will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Polls will open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, May 20. All early voting takes place at t...

Boil Water Order in effect for parts of RussellvilleCity Corporation has issued a Boil Water Order for a number of its customers in the Russellville area. At approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday, City Corporation experienced a 12-inch water main rupture that drained the Highway 7 South water tank. The affected area is generally bounded by Lock and Dam Road and both sides of Highway 7 South to the Arkansas River, which includes the Southgate Subdivision and customers on South Boulder Avenue from West 23...

News Briefs (May 12, 2014)Pope County Retired Teachers meeting The Pope County Retired Teachers will meet on Thursday at Wildflower, located at 240 S. Inglewood Ave. in Russellville. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m., and the business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Officers will be elected and the Lottie McCracken Scholarship will be awarded. Members are urged to bring their records of volunteer hours to the meeting. All retired educators are invited to attend. A...

Vet specialists helping tornado dogsThe Azzore Veterinary Specialists are lending a paw toward the April 27 tornado victims. Through Azzore's Angels, an outreach of the clinic, the veterinarians are partnering with pet owners and advocates to provide the economic resources needed to care for the pets of the families who lost their homes in the EF-4 tornado. Through The Tornado Dogs campaign, Azzore's Angels has raised enough funds to operate on five dogs, including a German shep...